Sony Interactive Entertainment says its keenly awaited PlayStation virtual reality headset will hit the market on October 13 at a price of $399.

The arrival of PlayStation VR will come later than expected, to provide time to get games ready and to build up an ample supply of headsets for launch, according to Sony.

At a PlayStation press event on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, Sony Interactive Entertainment worldwide studios chairman Shawn Layden proclaimed a "seminal moment" in virtual reality.

Layden promised more than 50 games for PlayStation VR will be available within months after the launch, among them zombie-shooter "Resident Evil," one based on the iconic "Star Wars" franchise and another on the comic book dark knight "Batman."

"Our mission is to make PlayStation the best place to play for gamers," Sony Interactive Entertainment president Andrew House said during the press event.